By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
Die Frage (The Question)
When asked
where you are from
say Montreal Mexico Brazil
Don’t tell the truth
unless you have the balls to take the lies your country has slapped across their faces
Be prepared for questions
you cannot answer
They know more about you
than you know yourself
If they had given up on friendship
they wouldn’t say anything
If you claim ignorance
they’ll throw the book at you
You might be surprised to find your name on it
They will point to the trees
where your grandfathers hung their families
for similar omissions
The punch
will take your breath away
I suggest you take it
Take it back
home
Keep working, please, Ish von H-B, because every word here rattled my cage.
Every word rattles his cage…(he admits he is in a cage)
This is one of your best poems yet…